VisitDallas is in the process of fighting legislation that would
regulate bathroom use by transgender individuals. They have
partnered with the American Unity Fund, a Texas-based 501(c)

( 4) whose mission is “making the conservative case that freedom means freedom for everyone.” The concern for VisitDallas,
besides the social implications of the bill, is that Texas may face
a backlash similar to that North Carolina, which lost $500 million worth of convention and tourism business in the aftermath
of the passing of similar legislation, most notably the NBA pulling the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte.

Phillip Jones, President and CEO of VisitDallas, released the
following statement regarding VisitDallas’ stance against the
“bathroom bill” legislation.

“VisitDallas stands strongly opposed to any legislation viewed as
discriminatory or that has an adverse effect on the Texas tourism
economy, and that’s why we’ve felt it’s so important to fight this
proposed bathroom legislation.

The pursuit of a bathroom bill represents a willful disregardfor the transgender community and for businesses, workers andcommunities across our state. This unnecessary and discrimi-natory legislation is threatening Texas’ reputation as open andwelcoming for businesses and families. The economic costs arealready being felt and they cut to the heart of the Dallas tourismindustry, small businesses and everyday working Texans.We can’t win this fight on our own, and partnerships with pro-business groups like American Unity Fund are paramount to oursuccess. Early on, VisitDallas formed a coalition with the othermajor Texas CVBs, Texas Welcomes All, because we understandour voices are stronger when joined together.VisitDallas supports a diverse and inclusive conventions,meetings, sports and tourism market, and our city and countyleaders have consistently supported non-discrimination fordecades. VisitDallas does not support discriminatory legislationand will work to stop any effort that has an adverse effect ongrowing the tourism economy. Dallas is and should remain openfor business to everyone.”The ”bathroom bill” has passed the Texas Senate and is cur-rently being debated in a special session of the Texas legislature.